Faux Painting – Tips for Sponging Correctly

The sponge paint technique, if aptly used can easily transform a dull and drab room into a vibrant one. That is why sponging is frequently used these days. Here are a few tips on how to proceed:

If the walls have irregularities in the finish, sponging is a good idea as it adds the look of texture and depth to the walls. Prepare the surfaces for painting after selecting the paint. It is advisable to practice this method with your color choices on a piece of board before applying it to the walls.

A base color of your choice should be used for the walls. Select a flat, eggshell, satin or semi-gloss interior paint. The intensity and tone of the base coat and glaze color should be close, because more contrast can make the surface look splotchy.

Take a bucket and mix 4 parts of faux glaze with 1 part of your second (top) color. The transparency of the top coat depends on the glaze added. If you want the top coat to be darker or denser, use less faux glaze. On the other hand, if you opt for a lighter look, choose a glaze color which is lighter than the base coat.

Always wear plastic or rubber gloves as you don’t want the glaze all over your hands.

Don’t use a synthetic sponge; go for a natural one. The sponging should be started in the corner and then worked out.

The wall and sponge needs to be damp at all times. Dip the sponge into the bucket containing the glaze and wipe the excess off.

Press the sponge into corners as mentioned before and tamp it onto the wall in a random pattern. There should be a thin layer of glaze on the surface of the under coat of paint. Ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure as it means too much glaze on the wall.

If you notice the glaze on the sponge depleting, dip it again, and continue as before. Work on small areas by keeping the edge of the painted area wet.

Use a small piece of sponge for the corners, to touch up small areas, and create a steady finish.

Last but not the least, stand back and check if the entire area is showing the same amount of glaze and undercoat.